THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

This record contains more or less mellow spacy/experimental progressive rock tracks. Many people from any social class like or love this record. Actually, maybe it is the most popular progressive album. With the help of Alan Parsons, Pink Floyd was able to produce one of the most state-of-the-art recording in the progressive music history. The tracks are not fast nor complex; the catchy airs are addictive enough to please many people. The record contains MANY delightful sounds, like old man voices in the background, existential laughs, mechanical clocks, ringing clocks, heartbeats, cash machine operations... There are some excellent catchy female backing vocals, like on "Time". David Gilmour plays some excellent guitar solos like the sluggish one on "Time" and the VERY heroic & flashy one on "Money", even sounding better than the best Jimi Hendrix's solo! David Gilmour's lead vocals are, as always, EXCELLENT. Dick Parry plays a moaning sax solo on "Money".

The album starts with a desperate human cry, followed by the smooth and relaxing "Breathe", having some Hawaiian guitar soundscapes. "On the run" is the weakest track of this record: there are very repetitive and experimental keyboards, sounding a bit like the Vangelis' Spiral track: it ends with crazy laughs before a plane crash! "The great gig in the sky" has an OUTSTANDING hysterical female vocals performance, well supported by a visceral floating organ, followed by a tender combination of rhythmic piano and the same but less intense orgasmic female vocals, performed by the enigmatic Clare Torry. "Us and them" is the relaxing one, which should relieve your bad emotions: Gilmour's soothing voice and delicate guitar notes, Parry's tender/brutal sax parts, Wright's uninterrupted background organ, everything form an unforgettable song, universally accepted as a classic one, even among non prog communities. "Any color you like" has Wright's psychedelic moogs and Gilmour's guitar sounding like a dirty organ. "Brain damage" and "Eclipse" have excellent female backing vocals, visceral & dirty organ textures and clean guitar notes. Some unnecessary experimental parts justify the removal of 0,5 star.

Rating: 4.5 stars